Improvement in stop-cocks



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE- JOHN MAOLAREN, OF SORANTON, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN STOP-COCKS.`

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 123,031, dated January23, 1872.

Specication describing an Improvement in Compression Cocks for Hot `andGold Water or Steam, invented by JOHN MACLAREN, of Scranton, Luzernecounty, Pennsylvania.

This invention relates to that class of cocks in which the valve is agum ball, which, when pressed down to its seat by the stem, closes theoriiice. The invention consists in such a ball provided with a metallicguide projecting from one side, in combination with a stem having acentral orifice for the reception of /said guide, the object of thisarrangement being to cause the ball when compressed always to close theorifice.

The figure is a sectional elevation.

A is the aforesaid gum ball, and a is themetallic guide, secured at oneend in the ball in any suitable manner. B is the stem of the cock, and bthe orifice therein for the reception of the guide a, which orice islonger than the guide, so as to enable the hollow inner end of the stemB to compress the ball a whenever the stem is screwed in. The guide andAperforated stem carry the ball under all circumstances to its seat.

It generally happens that after considerable use the ball becomessomewhat ilattened, and when this Occurs the ball, if loose, is liableto turn when pressed so as to present its narrowest part to the orifice,and consequently not close it.

My arrangement prevents the ball from doing this. It also enables theball to be used with equal advantage when the cock is in a verticalposition and the stem and guide horizontal.

I am aware that a gum ball has been connected with the stem of a cock soas to move with the same to or from its seat; but my arrangement diiersfrom this in having the ball detachable from the stem, and,consequently, easily renewable. In point of simplicity, also, myarrangement seems to leave nothing wantmg.

I am also aware that conical check-valves for cocks have beenconstructed with guides like my guide a projecting both from their upperand lower sides; but these valves require, in the irst place, to beground true to their seats in order to fit the same tightly,

and being metallic are easily abraded by sand or other foreign mattergetting into the cock, and when cut sufficiently to allow the water towork through they must be removed and reground; whereas the gum ballreceives the sand into itself without thereby being prevented fromstopping all the water, and does not damage the metallic seat. Again,when my ball-valve needs replacing it can be done without much troubleand by any person, whether mechanic or not; whereas the checkvalvereferred to requires to be fitted by a mechanic to its seat, whenreplaced, which is a matter Of delay and expense.

It will be observed that the diameter of the threaded part of the stemor plug B is fully equal A'to that of the ball A, and that the concavityat the lower end of the plug embraces a large portion of the ball.

It will also be observed that the seat grasps a large annulus of theball, so that the latter is thereby held firmly, working with certaintyand precision, having only a horizontal rotation.

I claim- A stop-cock having a flexible ball-valve opened only by thepressure of the fluid beneath, said ball-valve having a horizontalrotation on its seat and being guided by a stem which ascends freelyinto the screw-plug, by which the ball is pressed down upon its seat,substantially as described.

JOHN MAOLAREN.

Witnesses: i

EDM. F. BROWN, GEO. E. BROWN.

